Portret van een meisje 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls created this pencil drawing, "Portret van een Meisje," sometime between 1824 and 1911. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Israëls was a key figure in the Hague School, a group of Dutch realist painters responding to the social and political climate of the Netherlands. Think of it as a period of increasing industrialization and urbanization. Artists turned their attention to the lives of ordinary people, particularly those in rural communities. This portrait, while simple in its execution, reflects that interest. Consider the girl's plain clothing and direct gaze. These details suggest an attempt to portray her without idealization, emphasizing her humanity rather than her social status. Israëls and his contemporaries challenged the art establishment by focusing on subjects drawn from everyday life, and the effect of the institutions on the everyday. To understand this drawing fully, explore the history of the Hague School. Look into the socio-economic conditions in the Netherlands during the late 19th century. By understanding this context, we can appreciate how this portrait engages with broader cultural and political concerns.